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Old 04-30-08, 12:38 AM
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johnh1094 johnh1094 is offline
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We are brethren!

Not so shall it be
Matthew 20:20-28

Just before the Lord Jesus was to be offered as a sin sacrifice for us, he was confronted with a request by the mother and the sons of Zebedee.
She worshiped Jesus and asked him for her sons to be the first and second ministers in the coming kingdom. Repeated announcements of Christ's impending death (and resurrection which they continued to ignore) only kindled greater enthusiasm on the disciples’ part for solving the problem of "head man" after Jesus' death. There was power about to be made available and all of them knew whoever would be first, would be the one with the power.
The mother of James and John envisioned her sons holding the equivalent of the offices of Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer!
Should one wonder why the apostles behaved such, a peek at Acts 1 would be instructive. They thought, as many do today, that Jesus was erecting an earthly kingdom.
They missed Jesus words that “the first shall be last and the last first,” even though they had just heard this!
The fulfillment of Jesus’ words about James and John drinking of the Savior’s cup is interesting. James died by the sword of Herod (Acts 12) and according to tradition, John suffered much toward the end of his life.
The Lord Christ did far more than merely deny the request of that ambitious woman on behalf of her sons. He went much further and explained that the usual concept of some men ruling over others would not be allowed in the kingdom of God under any circumstance.
Why were the ten indignant against James and John? Their mother had been the one to make the request, but were the two disciples completely innocent? Without doubt they desired being seated as Jesus left and right hand. They had most likely besought their mother for aid to ask the Master for this favor.
Satan had used human weakness to drive a wedge between those who were supposed to be united in service.
Verses 25, 26, 27
But Jesus called them unto him and said, Ye know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Not so shall it be among you: but whosoever would become great among you shall be your minister; and whosoever would be first among you shall be your servant.
The Lord Christ does not just use this statement for emphasis. He is talking directly about the way things are in the Gentile world – a world filled with the sins of pride and lust -- a world that is not to be the world of obedient believers of Christ.
The full meaning appears when the structure of Gentile government is understood.
Their Great Ones
The Rulers of the Gentiles
The Gentiles
There are three ranks (tiers) of authority. Thus, the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over their people, and their great ones exercise authority upon the rulers of the Gentiles.
There is to be no such system in the Lord’s kingdom. “All of you are brethren,” Jesus said (Matthew 23:8). Greatness in the kingdom of God lies in service, not in office. Denoting the system of man as “Gentile” indicated the rejection by mankind of God’s system of government.
We be brethren. May all of God’s children act like it.
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"that in all things he might have the preeminence." Colossians 1:18
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Old 04-30-08, 01:50 PM
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Steven Rasberry Steven Rasberry is online now
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Re: We are brethren!

This cuts the root of all titles of position in the church, including, if I might be so bold, pulpit minster vs family minister vs youth minister, each making different amounts based upon importance in the hierarchy.

On a second note, as many who know me and hear me often say, calling people directors in the church is wrong. We have an absolute platform to stand on too regarding such titles, the ENTIRE Word of God.

Even elders (older guides), teachers (teach and guide), deacons (translates to servant), preachers (preach the Word), evangelists (traveling preachers) have titles right? Nope! They are only designations to describe what work they are involved in and none of the names have any hierarchy inference in the root meaning.
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Old 04-30-08, 04:58 PM
BVidlar BVidlar is offline
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Re: We are brethren!

Reminds me too of what Paul told the brethren at Corinth. (Of course, Paul was dealing with those who had the miraculous gifts in part and the brethren there were very ‘proud’ of their spiritual gifts.) But we all are gifted in one way or another…some more than others and the principle applies. Paul told the brethren at Corinth that the gifts they received were for the “common good” (1 Cor. 12:7) of “the body… For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit” (1 Cor. 12:12,13).
Then Paul takes the analogy of a human body, comparing how difficult it would be for a human body to function without a foot, ear, or eye. As one who is practically handicapped in one hand, I can tell you from experience, when you have to learn to do without a hand then that hand becomes ever so important. And I think that is the point that Paul is trying to make. What we may think of little significance may very well be the cement that holds the whole body in tact. As for me personally, my little insignificant hand has caused me to give up a big portion of my livelihood. (I am only telling my story to put my words in some prospective…I’m not fussing, I still have a hand and it comes in quite useful at times.) But my whole point is, this little, maybe insignificant, maybe out of the spotlight individual, may very well become very noticed if suddenly taken out of the picture. And this individual is your brother, your fellow worker.
Naturally though, those who hold the office of elder or deacon or preach and teach certainly have a role in the church that is more vivid than others, but this does not make them any more important than any other individual of the Lord’s church. Paul asked, “…that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive” (1 Cor. 4:6-7)? If someone has the ability or talent to serve in the Lord’s church in this capacity, then they have no room to boast (1 Cor. 4:7).
The last thing Jesus did for His disciples were to wash their feet. Of course, Peter would have no part of it and Christ told Peter, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” And Peter said, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” If the washing of the disciples feet does not teach a life of serving others with a humble attitude, then I don’t know what does (John 13:1-20)?

Thank you, John. We all need to be reminded of these things from time to time.
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Old 04-30-08, 10:17 PM
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johnh1094 johnh1094 is offline
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Re: We are brethren!

Thank you, my brothers. May God be glorified.
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Old 05-01-08, 08:14 AM
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Re: We are brethren!

It amazes me how we are dead and fleshly, learn the Word of God and see He wants us to not be like the world, learn from the Word for years and then when a man becomes a deacon, then even later becomes an elder, then as soon as they can make some decisions, they become so wise in their own eyes they command preachers to dilute the Word (the Word that saved them), create hierarchy within the ministers through titles and levels and then lift up women over men in direct rebellion against God's Word. What in the WORLD got into their head? Do they not have any appreciation for the God and His Word that saved them?
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